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Court / Community payback for Lerwick man who had child abuse images on his computer

A TWENTY nine year old man who admitted viewing indecent images of children on his computer has been ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

Nathan Bryant, of Lerwick’s Burnside had previously admitted committing the offence at his home address between June 2014 and September 2020.

Lerwick Sheriff Court had previously heard that some of the children depicted appeared to be “only one or two years old”.

One seven-minute video had been taken using screen recording software and showed Bryant accessing a “a large number” of indecent images of children being abused, procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told the court in January.

When he appeared for sentencing on Wednesday, Bryant’s defence agent Tommy Allan said that in a social work report his client had for the first time disclosed details of traumatic abuse he himself had suffered earlier in life.

Allan said that Bryant was absolutely clear that “any behaviour towards him” did not excuse the offence he had pleaded guilty to, adding “his regret and shame for this is evident”.

He added that, while Bryant’s behaviour could not be condoned, “we are not speaking about a huge number of images” and his client had no previous convictions or other outstanding cases.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank imposed a community payback order under supervision for two years and ordered Bryant to carry out the unpaid hours within 12 months.

Bryant will also be subject to notification requirements under sexual offences legislation.

If you have been affected by crime, help is available. Whether you are victim, a witness, or the accused, you can find independent, impartial, and confidential support in Shetland.

For victims of general crime:

For anyone affected by crime & harm seeking a restorative approach:

For anyone affected by gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking, sexual assault, and rape:

Shetland Women’s Aid

Phone: 01595 692070
Web: https://www.shetlandwa.org
Email: office@shetlandwa.org

The Compass Centre (Shetland Rape Crisis)

Phone: 01595 744402 or 08088 010302
Web: https://www.compasscentre.org
Email: contact@compasscentre.org

For anyone affected by substance use:

Shetland Recovery Hub and Community Network

Phone: 01595 744402
Web: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075791869200
Email: recoveryhub@shetland.gov.uk

Shetland Alcohol & Drug Partnership

Phone: 01595 743060 or 07342 077789
Web: https://shetlandadp.org.uk
Email: shet.sadp@nhs.scot

Substance Use Recovery Service

Phone: 01595 743006

 
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